25 Best Things to Do in Tokyo

Tokyo has more than enough oddball pit-stops and major attractions to make your head spin, so some advice: Arrive with a game plan.

Deciding what to do and see in Tokyo depends on how much time you have—and for your sake, we hope you have a month; there's just so much there. The city’s streets can feel like a video game, while calmer attractions range from temples, contemporary museums, charmed gardens, river cruises, and bohemian sojourns. Tokyo has more than enough oddball pit-stops (owl café, anyone?) to put you in a tizzy, so a few words of advice: Arrive with a game plan. We've shared our list of the best things to do in Tokyo below to get you started.

In a suburban stretch of Shinjuku, a smooth white building rises five stories high—all devoted to the works of artist Yayoi Kusama. The building looks slim, but it houses a bulk of the larger-than-life and avant-garde artist's pieces, including a new installation of her " infinity room" series (an Instagram sensation which, in the past, drew hundreds of thousands of visitors in stateside exhibitions) to polka-dotted paintings and sculptures. The outsized attention, in fact, led the owners to reduce the overall number of visitors (only 200 guests each day), so trust you won't be alone.

Fancy a stroll in a Japanese garden? Get that and more at Shinjuku Gyoen. In addition to native, traditional gardens, the 144-acre park pockets French Formal and English Landscape gardens, all of which are worth the modest entrance fee. Landmarks are stunning and impossible to forget, like a Taiwan Pavilion perched along a serene pond. Formerly an imperial garden, it became a national garden after World War II—so you can trust that this precious plot is always beautifully maintained.

Ginza Six is a sparkling new shopping complex, designed by architect Yoshio Taniguchi, that commands over 500,000 square feet and spans a whole city block. Over 241 shops weave throughout the glowing interiors where floorplans are inspired by alleyways in Kyoto and Ginza. Customers meander and stumble upon treasures from native designers to international brands like House of Dior and Rag & Bone.

Senso-ji’s atmosphere is one for the bucket list. Senso-ji, the temple itself, is at the end of the shopping street, while a recently renovated five-story pagoda stands to the left (ranking in as the second tallest pagoda in Japan). Japanese visitors flutter around a large incense cauldron in front of the temple where incense is said to benefit good health, and there's even a Shinto shrine on the other side—it's a fulfilling attraction (to say the least).

Droopy-eyed, wide-eyed tourists arrive hours before 5 a.m. (well-rested visitors trickle in a few hours later) to snag one of 120 spots open to the public for observing the Tsukiji fish market's tuna auctions. Show-stopping tuna sales aren't guaranteed, though, there's no need to battle jet lag so early in the morning. Arriving around 8 a.m. will offer the same fishy smells, narrow rows, and earnest fishmongers—and don’t miss out on the surrounding restaurants’ breakfast sushi.

Anyone remotely impressed that Tokyo is the most populated city in the world should visit Shibuya Crossing. The best time to go is at dusk, one of the scramble's peak times and in its most flattering light.

This clutch of narrow streets, tucked in shadows of Shinjuku, is lined with hundreds of low-slung dive bars with just a handful of seats, all recalling post-war debauchery. There's no order to the scene, and considering that bars are stacked—some at ground level, while some are located up steep, svelte staircases—it's just as fascinating to wander aimlessly as it is to arrive with a game plan. And rejoice—though many of Golden Gai's bars are only open for locals, Albatross welcomes anyone and everyone.

It's okay to visit the artsy neighborhood, Nakameguro, just to see its seasonal attraction: One of the most picture-perfect spots for cherry blossoms in Tokyo. However, stick around these charming streets and you'll find a hip collection of independent cafes and boutiques that offer a laid-back alternative to the city's buzzing hubs.

The institution itself is a national treasure—it's Japan's oldest museum. It also happens to be in one of Tokyo's oldest public parks, Ueno Park, which wanders a hundred or so acres and bursts with attractions like ancient shrines, temples, ponds, and over a thousand cherry blossom trees. Comprising the world's most comprehensive collection of Japanese art, the museum displays the tip of the iceberg, rotating its 110,000 artifacts regularly throughout five distinct exhibition buildings.

This serene museum in the Aoyama district, redesigned by celebrated architect Kengo Kuma, is a contemporary temple for traditional art. A long, covered outdoor path alongside bamboo-clad walls serves as a minimalist entrance, but once inside, double-height interiors and glass walls stretch over 40,000 square feet while keeping the experience intimate. And while the museum mixes contemporary design and traditional art on the inside—over 7,400 pieces—the outside counts, too: The property is home to a stunning private garden that's worth the visit all on its own.

Only three of six official grand tournaments happen in Tokyo, all at Ryoguku Kokugikan. The stadium houses over 11,000 eager fans under its green, pavilion-style roof. Official tournaments last just over two weeks each, which means Ryoguku Kokugikan sometimes hosts other events (boxing, for example). But sumo is the arena's feature attraction, and if you're hoping to see sumo in Tokyo, this is where to do it.

Karaoke-kan is a typical karaoke bar, housed in a skinny building with a series of floors broken into private rooms. The look changes depending on the room, but most are decked out with leather booths, brightly painted walls, and colorful disco lights. The drinks are cheap and boozy, and food staples are french fries and pizza. If you want to visit a karaoke bar that knows how to handle international travelers (thank its scene in Lost in Translation for that), this one is cheap, easy, and right in Shibuya.

Yogi Park is one of the most amusing parks in Tokyo. Its 134 acres sprawl right in Shibuya, a short skip from Harajuku, and bustle with picnics and performers. The northern side is lush, with clean walkways along expansive, grassy lawns where locals and tourists spread under the shade of Japanese Zelkova trees, and gather along a large pond. Spot impromptu badminton team swinging racquets, a drum circle tapping away at the bongo, or amateur dancers following along to the beat.

Topping off at 2,080 feet, Tokyo Skytree is the tallest tower in the world. From the broadcast tower's 360-degree observation decks, the whole city—its striking skyscrapers and neon intersections—merely looks like a circuit board. It's a major tourist attraction and a ticket isn't cheap (up to ¥4,000 for all-access), but even if you don't pay up, there's no denying that Tokyo Skytree brought the skyline to a whole new level.

The Edo-Tokyo Museum traces the 400-year history of Edo-Tokyo by way of architectural models, replicas, woodblock prints, and both original or recreated maps. The permanent exhibition delves into touchstone literature, historical pleasure districts, traditional homes, the evolution of the ruling class' lifestyle, and more. And the upper floor restaurant is a treat for its panoramic view of Tokyo.

Looking for the East Village of Tokyo? Only one express stop away from the brighter-than-bright energy of Shibuya, Shimokita (what locals call Shimokitazawa) is like turning down the volume and switching to an acoustic track. Shimokitazawa might embrace its bohemian style—with vintage stores on seemingly every block—but it doesn't lose that unmistakable, sophisticated Japanese style in the process.

Let you inner-tourist indulge in one of Tokyo's bizarre, totally endearing cat cafés. Cat Cafe MOCHA operates a handful of locations throughout the city, but its shop in Harajuku is a stylish, light and airy, all-contemporary nook for the ultimate "kawaii" experience. Almost twenty cats (all different breeds) roam a light-flooded, fourth-floor café that's kitted out with ample seats, trailing plants, and complimentary Wifi. A wooden, sculptural tree stands in the center with seats built into the branches so cats can perch in the canopy, while gold-painted birdcages hang across the ceiling like stepping stones.

Origami Kaikan devotes each of its floors to the art of origami. The ground floor takes shape as a shop (some art is on display, too), the second as a full gallery, and the fourth as an active workshop. It's not all for show: Guests can partake in classes to learn the craft themselves, while the institution dyes a variety of papers directly onsite. The gallery's art rotates seasonally and ranges from pocket-sized dolls to fabulous floral bouquets (or even a single rose). Naturally, at least one paper crane—or even a whole wall of them—are among the familiar motifs.

Kappabashi Street, a district in between Ueno and Asakusa, is a faux-food destination: While it's devoted to the restaurant industry, fresh food isn't why folks come. Instead, the street is a chef's dream of restaurant supply stores that are known best for sampuru, replicas of food dishes that are part of a century-old craft—and are up for grabs. Look for businesses specializing in sampuru (from ramen bowls to strawberry cakes), replicas of Japanese staple dishes artfully crafted out of plastic and wax.

In most destinations, river cruises are strictly for tourists. But in Japan, embarking on roof-topped boats (especially during cherry blossom season, or fireworks) is an elite tradition dating back to the Heian Period—one that comes with dinner. Harumiya, a century-old company, is chief among operators that host dinner cruises (Yakatabune) around Tokyo and Odaiba—a cultural pursuit trickling down from royal charters. The charter offers a refreshing view of Tokyo by nightfall, and a delightful dinner, ranging from fresh sashimi to hot tempura.

In the past, Japan's Kit Kat flavors ranged from strawberry to purple sweet potato, or even sake to wasabi. Ginza's recently opened Kit Kat Chocolatory, under the direction of Japan's patissier Yasumasa Takagoi, creates fancy iterations with upmarket flavors (for starters, the store debuted with a no-longer-available trio of Kit Kats made in the shape of sushi). In the future, a second-floor café is on the horizon where guests will design their own Kit Kat flavor (if the fanciful selection didn't strike their fancy already).

Built over a century ago as a defensive fort island, Odaiba is now an all-leisure destination with sensational views of the skyline, amusement park-like attractions, ample shopping, and a handful of wacky features (like a giant statue of a robot) that make it the perfect oddball day in Tokyo. Come take a dip in the Oedo-Onsen Monogatari—a Japanese onsen that's quite like an amusement park of bathing—or, in another communal space, nosh on street food while playing traditional Japanese games.

Purikura, a term derived from the English words "print club," are tricked out photo booths with innumerable customizing options that involve visitors in every part of the process. Before the photos are taken, customers choose things like a background theme and just how big and doe-eyed they want the computer to make them. Purikura no Mecca even has a costume rack for people who are feeling particularly inspired.